08/08/2025
NEWS: Boy, 15, found guilty of murdering Harvey Willgoose
A boy who stabbed Harvey Willgoose during a lunch break at a Sheffield school has today (Friday 8 August) been found guilty of his murder.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court for the past six weeks.
He had admitted to killing Harvey, also 15, by pleading guilty to manslaughter but had denied the more serious charge of murder. The boy had also pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article on school premises.
A jury at Sheffield Crown Court today found him guilty of murder. He will be sentenced at a later date.
At 12.17pm on 3 February, we were called to All Saints Catholic High School following reports of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found Harvey had been stabbed in the chest by another pupil with a hunting knife.
The boy responsible was arrested at the scene.
During his trial, the boy had claimed he was carrying the knife he used to murder Harvey to protect himself due to what he perceived to be threats to his safety posed by other pupils.
He had fallen out with Harvey over an altercation at the school a week before. Harvey was not in school at the time, but they each took different sides of the argument.
Speaking following today’s verdict, Detective Inspector Joe Hackworthy, deputy Senior Investigating Officer on this case, said: “This trial has been a heartbreaking reminder of the devastation knife crime causes in our communities.
“It tears lives and families apart – and that has never been more evident than in this tragic case.
“Tonight, one boy’s family will be spending another night grieving the unimaginable loss of their beloved son, while another boy’s family will be living with the reality that their son faces a life sentence behind bars for murder.
“Our thoughts today are with all those who knew and loved Harvey – especially his family, who have had to endure a lengthy trial because of his murderer’s refusal to admit the full extent of what he did on that tragic day in February.
“They have shown immense courage throughout the court process – and I want to thank them for it.
“The boy who has been found guilty of Harvey’s murder thought carrying a knife would offer him protection and change the way his peers looked at him. He might even have wanted them to fear him.
“But the painful reality is that his decision led to him taking an innocent life, tearing the lives of two families apart, and is about to land him in prison.
“It’s important we try to change attitudes towards violence and carrying weapons – and we can all play a part in tackling knife crime.
“I am mindful South Yorkshire’s young people are currently on their summer holidays and may have been left feeling frightened or anxious following Harvey’s death and the subsequent criminal justice proceedings.
“If you are a parent or carer and suspect your child is carrying a knife, or may be feeling under pressure to carry one, please have an open and honest conversation with them – and encourage them to tell someone they trust if they believe somebody they know is carrying a weapon.”
The 15-year-old will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court at a later date.
Read more on our website: https://orlo.uk/WLqWr
